Locomotive-drifting-valve mechanism.



H. S. VINCENT & J. L. MOHUN.

LOCOMOTIVE DRlFTiNG VALVE MECHANISM.

INVENTOR5 Patented Jan. 9, 1917- 3 SHEETSSHEET L APPLICATION FILED AU H. s. VINCENT KL 1. L. MOHUN.

LOCOMOTIVE DRIFTING VALVE MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.!9, I916.

' Patented Jan. 9, 1917.

3 SHEETS SHEET 2.

INVENTOR$ H. s. VINCENT &1. L. MOHUN. LOCOMOTIVE DRlFTING VALVE MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.19. 19I6. M

Patented Jan. 9, 191;.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

HARRY s. vrnonn'r. or axnenwoon,

Specification of Letters Patent.

NEW JERSESLAND JOHN L. MoHUN, OF BRooflYN,

NEW YQRK.

, IIOCDMOTIVE-DRIFTING-VALVE MECHANISM.

Patented Jan. a, ram.

Application filedAugust 1a, 1916. Serial u 1 15,7s1.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, HARRY S. VINCENT, of Ridgewood, in the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey, and JOHN L. Motion, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have jointly invented a certain new and useful Improvement in.

Locomotive-Drifting-Valve Mechanisms, of which improvement the following is a specification. i

Our invention relates to valve mechanism forautomatically effecting the admission of a limited quantity of steam, directly from the boiler to the valve chests, and cylinders of a locomotive engine, during the periods in which the locomotive is drifting or run ning with its throttle valve closed, in order to prevent the formation of a vacuum in the cylinders, to afford proper lubrication to the cylinders, and to prevent the carbonization of oil therein.

The object of our invention is to provide a mechanism of the type above referred to,

Which shall be readily and inexpensively ap% plicable in' the various locomotive designs of present approved practice, and which will .embody the following structural and operative features and advantages, viz: (a) Means for automatically and positively'opening a valve which controls the supplyof saturated steam to the. valve chests and cylinders, coincidently with the closure of the throttle and the commencement'of the drifting of the locomotive, and for automatically and positively closing. said valve whenthe locomotive is brought to a stop. (1)) Means for providing a supply of saturated steam, proportionately to the speedof the pistons, and for preventing the accumulation, in the valve chests, of sufficient pressure to operate the superheater damper. (0) Means for admitting saturated steam/only to the cylinders, when drifting, and preventing the admission, in such period, of steam which has passed through the super-heater. ((5) Means for preventing, under normal working conditions, the admission of saturated steam by the drifting valve, and thereby preventing the injection of moist steam and the absorption of a substantial portion of the super-heat. (6) Means for insuring the positive action of the drifting valve and preventing the liability of stiokingof valves which is from time to time experienced withfthg'ee operated by differential piston'sactuatedfbyvariations of pressure. (7) Means for insuring the operation of the mechanism in any and all positions of the reverse lever, and thereby rendering it independent of the different adj ustments of the reverse lever which are made by different enginemen, when drifting. (g) Means for effecting the flow of saturated steam into the valve chests, when drifting, in the same direction as when running with open throttle, in order that the distribution of the lubricant may be the usual one.

The improvement claimed is hereinafter fully set forth.

In theaccompanying drawings: Figure 1 a side view, in elevation, of the forward portion of a locomotlve engine, lllustrating.

an application of our invention; Fig. 2, a front view of the same; Fig. 3, an axial sec, tion, on a larger scale, through a driftin valve casing and the adjoining portion of a valve chest; Figs. 4 and 5, transverse sections through the drifting Valvecasing, on

the, lines a a and I) b, respectively, of F ig,

3; Fig. 6, an axial section through the shut off valve casing; Fig. 7, a transverse section through the same, on the line 0 c of Fig. 6; Fig. 8, a longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, through the non-return .valve; and, Fig. 9, a section through the boiler and smoke box, showing the shut off valve casing connected to the main steam supply line, in rear of the super-heater header.

The leading and characteristic feature of novelty of our invention consists in a valve In the practice of our invention, referring descriptively to the specific embodiment thereof which has been. selected for exemplification herein, two drifting valve chests, 1, are provided, one for each of the distribution 'V21l\6 chests, 2, of the locomotive, which communicate by ports (not shown), with the cylinders, 13, in theusual manner. Said drifting valve chests, and their contained valve mechanism and connections, bein valve mechanism comprised in our invention which is located on one side of the'locomotive, wi 1l be understoodas being equally applicableto that on the other side,

- The drifting valve casing, 1, which'is of cylindrical form, is closed, at its outer end, by an integral head, having'a central opening, fitted with a removable cap, 1 and 3 its inner 'end is securedto the front head, 2

' of the locomotive, and the exclusion of steam of the distribution valve chest, 2, in line axially with the distribution valve, '8, by bolts, 2, a partition, 2, being interposed to separate it from the distributionovalve chest, The drifting valve chest is divided by. a middle transverse partition, 1", into two i chambers,=1 and 1, through which there extends, centrally and longitudinally, a cylin drical open ended valvechamber, 1, which communicates with the casing chambers, 1 and 1, by passages, 1 ?"-and 1,'respectively, and with a lateral drifting supply pipe, 9, by a' passage, 1. An open ended bushing,

1, is fitted in the valve chamber, 1, saidbushing communicating, at'the middle of its length, with the drifting supply pipe passage, 1*, of the valve chamber, by ports,

cates, at its ends, with 'a longitudinal deliv-' 1 and, at points within the-casing chambers, 1 and 1, communicating with said chambers, by 'circumferentialports, 1 and 1, respectively. The bushing communi pipe, 3, is fitted with a non-return valve 5,

of the ordinary construction, which permits flow of steam from the drifting valve casing tothe distribution valve chest, but prevents flow in the opposite direction, and the delivery steam pipe opens into the steam pipe, 4, adjacent to, and in the same direction as, the usual lubric ator pipe, ,6. Drain pipes, 1? and *1, are fitted in thelo er portions of the chambers, 1" and 1, of thecasing, for leading oif water of condensation to a suitable point of discharge.

A drifting valve, which comprises two properly packed pistons, 7, 7, is formed on or secured to a-stem, 7, and is fitted tobe reciprocated in the bushings, 1 and 1, so as, to control the ports, 1 and 1", thereof, by the stem, 8!, of the distribution Valve,f8,'to which stem the drifting Valve stem, 7*, which passes through the partition, 2, is connected .by a yoke or clevis, 7". Saturated steam from the boiler is supplied to the interior.

bution valve chests, during'the periods-in which the locomotive is drifting or running with throttle closed, through drifting supply pipes, 9, leading'to the casing, 10, 1 of an automatic shut off valve, to be pres ently described, from which casingva pipe,

,9", controlled by a manually ,operableangle valve, 9, which is open continuously during the operation of the locomotive, leads to the .steamspace of th'e'locomotive boiler, 11.

The admission of saturated steam to the 15 drifting valve casings, during the -.drifting jacent toits forward end, and comprises a larger and a smallerpis'ton, 10 10*, re 35 spectively, connect edf anv intermediate stem or body, 10?, .an'd fitted'to recip'i' dcate in bushings which'line the casing-'10. The outer end of'the smallerpiston, 10 i"s"of conical form'and is adapted' t o' act as avalve i by seating" at .the end'of the pipe,-'9P, and

' closing communication between said pipe and ports,'10 ,-in the bushing of the piston, whichports establish communication {be- 7 tween the interior of thepiston bushing and the drifting supply pipes, 9, leading from the casing, 10, to the drifting valve casings, 1 The end of thecasing,,10,:adjacent1to which the larger piston, 10, is located,*,is

closed bya removable head, .10", to which is I connected at pipe ,"10',the opposite end of which communicates with the. T he'adfor .superheater header, 12, or may beconnected to the ordinary throttle governed main steam supply 'line with whichtheTor header communicates in the usual manifgr,

at any. other preferred point between the throttle valve fand the distribution valve chests, an instance of which change of location of the communicating pipe being shown in Fig, 9.' The outer end of the larger piston, 10 is of conical form and adapted'to act as a valve, 'byseating on the head, 10 A spring, 10 interp'osed between the larger piston and the headof f the casing, serves-to I prevent the slamming }.of the piston when moved to the right, and thedash pot' jaction induced by the reduced, space t its left Y hand side prevents slamming when moved to the left. V 1 I f Upon the opening of tliejthrottle valve, and the resultant increase of pressu re in'the. Thead or super-heater header' and consequntly on the outer side of the larger pis; ton, 10*,of the shut off valve, theprepon- 5 derance of pressure on said piston above that on the smaller piston, 10", forces the pistons to the left, andthe smallerpiston seats at the opening of the pipe, 9, and shuts off the supply ofisaturated steam from saidpipe 13o to the drifting valve casings. \Vhen the throttle valve is closed, and pressure therefore is reduced in the T head or superheater header, and on the right hand side of the larger piston, the pressure on the smaller piston moves the shut off valve to the right, and saturated steam from the boiler is ad mitted through the pipe, 9", and ports, 10, to the drifting supply pipes, 9, and thence to'drifting valve casings and distribution valve chests. The seating of the larger piston on the head of the casing prevents the fiowyinto the superheater, of any steam that may leak past the packing rings of the pistons. I

In the operation of a locomotive on which the invention is applied, the saturated steam which is supplied through the pipes, 9, to the drifting valve casings, when the locomotive is drifting, enters the space between the pistons of the drifting valves, and byv the reciprocation thereof, effected by their connection to the steam distribution valves. is admitted, alternately, to the opposite end chambers, 1 and 1 ofv the casings, and thence passes from the outer sides of the drifting valve pistons, through the passages.

1 and pipes, 3, to the distribution .valve chests. The purpose of the chambers, 1 and. l, is to measure out adefinite quantity of steam for delivery to the engine cylinders, at

each stroke of the piston, the valve, 7, operating so that only one chamber is in (30111111111 nicationwith thecylinder at any given time, and, when in such communication, not communicating with the steam supply. The admission of saturated steam thus effected,

, continues throughout the period in which the locomotive is drifting, and as soon as the throttle is re-opened for normal operation, it is terminated by the closure of the drifting supply pipes by the automatic operation of the shut 0H valve. Vhen the locomotive is standing, no saturated steam will be ad mitted to the distribution valve chests, by. reason of the drifting valves being stationary and therefore preventing the pas sage of steam through their casings.

Among the ad *antages, in practice, of a construction substantially as herein set forth, there may be noted that the admission of saturated steam, in drifting, is proportionate to the speed of the pistons; that such admission is coincident with the closure of the throttle and continuous during the periods in which the locomotive is running with the throttle closed; that the admission of saturated steam. when drifting, and its exclusion, when running with open throttle.

are automatically and positively efl'ected,

and are independent of the position of the reverse lever; and that the supply of steam through the drifting valve mechanism is positively prevented whenever, and as long as. the locomotive is standin It will be to .a moving member of =a locomotive,

throughout, and in accordance with the speed of, the movement of the locomotive when running with its throttle closed.

2. In a drifting valve mechanism for locomotives, the combination of a valve controlling the admission of steam to a locomotive cylinder, through a line independent of a throttle governed supply pipe; and means for actuating said valve by positive connections to a. moving member of a locomotive, throughout the movement of the locomotive when running with its throttle closed.

3. In a drifting valve mechanism for locomotives, the combination of a valve controlling the admission of steam to a locomotive cylinder, through a line independent of a throttle governed supply pipe; and means for-effecting the alternate opening and closure of said'valve by positive connectlons to locomotive; and means, automatically operable by and upon the admission and exclusion of steam to and from a throttle governed supply pipe, for cutting off and admitting, respectively, steam from and to said valve.

5. In a drifting valve mechanism for locomotives, the combination' of a valve controlling the admission of steam to a locomotive cylinder, through a line independent of a throttle governed supply pipe; intercepting means, interposed between said valve and cylinder, for interrupting direct connnunication between them; and means for actuating said valve to alternately supply steam to said intercepting means and deliver it therefrom to the cylinder.

6. In a drifting valve mechanism for locomotives, the combination of a valve controlcylinder, through a line independent of a v 5 pipe leading from the steam space of the boiler to the smaller plston, a pipe leading throttle governed supply p1pe; a chamber or casing interposed between, said valve and cylinder; and means for actuating said valve to alternately admit steam to said chamber and deliver it therefrom to the cylinder.

7. In a drifting valve mechanism for 1000- motives, the com i controlling the admission of steam to a 1000- motive cylinder, through a line independent of a throttle governed supply pipe; and an automatically-operative shut of valve con trolling the admission of .steamto the 'drifting valve, and comprising-a casing, com

nected differential pistons fitted therein, a

from a throttle controlled supply p1pe to the larger piston, and a pipe controlled by the" smaller piston and leading therefrom to the f drifting valve.

8. In a driftin motives, the com ination'of a drifting valve chest; a steam supply. pipe leading thereto; a steam delivery pipe leading therefrom; a

drifting valve fitted in said chest and controlling, alternately, communication between the steam supply pipe and said chest and between said chest "and the steam delivery pipe; and means connecting the drifting valve with a moving member of the locomotive.

9. In a drifting valve mechanism for 1000- motives, the combination of a drifting valve chest divided into two independent steam chambers, a valve chamber extending through said 'chestand communicating, by ports, with the steam chambers; a steam supply pipe leading into the valve chamber;

nation of a drifting valve valve mechanism for 1060'- a steam delivery pipe leading out of he steam chambers; a drifting valve having two pistons fitted'in the valve chamber, each 'con' trolling the ports of one of the steam chambers; and means connecting the drifting valve with a moving member of the locomo connection to a locomotive distribution valve.

v 11. In a drifting valve mechanism for 10- comotives, the combination of a valve controlling the admission of steam to a locomotive cylinder, through a line independent of a throttle governedsupply pipe; 2, drifting delivery steam pipe leading therefrom and adapted for connection to a distribution valve chest steam pipe, adjacent to and in the same direction as the lubricator pipe thereof; and means for actuating the drifting valve by a reciprocating member of a locomotive. HARRY S. VINCENT.

JOHN L. MOHUN- Witnesses:

G. W. Mmous.

F. P. MCNAIR. 

